Iowa Children’s Choice 2009 – 2010
One-Handed
Catch by M.J. Auch
After losing his hand in an accident in his father's butcher shop in 1946, sixth-grader Norman uses
hard work and humor to learn to live with his disability and to succeed at baseball, art, and other activities.
Surprises according to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
While continuing to help his classmates solve their problems, Humphrey, pet hamster of Longfellow School's Room
26, faces many surprises, like rolling in a hamster ball, a substitute janitor who might be an alien, and the possibility
of MRs. Brisbane retiring.
The Black Tower by Betsy Byars
Herucleah Jones has been reading aloud to Lionus Hunt, an elderly stroke victim who can only communicate by blinking
his eyes. He seems to be trying to tell Herculeah something. Is it related to a murder that took place in the
mansion's black tower years ago?
No Talking by Andrew Clements
The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge the equally loud fifth grade girls to "no
talking" contest.
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
Evan and his younger sister react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade.
As the end of summer approaches, they battle if out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn $100.
Julia's Kitchen by Brenda A. Ferber
When her mother and younger sister are killed in a house fire, 11 year-old Cara struggles to find a way to deal with
her emotions and to reach out to her grieving father.
Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff
When Sam, who can barely read, discovers an old newspaper clipping just before his eleventh birthday, he has memories from
his past. With the help of a new friend at school and a school project, his questions are eventually answered.
The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going
In Georgia during the summer of 1976, Gabriel, a white boy who is being bullied, and Frita, an African-American girl
who is facing prejudice, decide to overcome their many fears together as they enter fifth grade.
The
Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
Four fifth-grade students - a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker- as well as their teacher and
mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments.
Double
Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Bethany's parents have always been overprotective, but when they suddenly drop out of sight with no explanation,
leaving her with an aunt she never knew existed, Bethany uncovers shocking secrets that make her question everything she thought
she knew.
Winnie at her Best by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Zoe is the smartest
speller and Vanessa is the top actress in the fourth grade, but Winnie doesn't know what she does best until she helps
a young neighbor in need.
The Year of the Dog: A Novel by Grace Lin
When Pacy's mom tells her that the Chinese year of the dog is a good year for friends, family, and "finding
herself," Pacy begins searching right away. She struggles to find her talent, deals with disappointment, makes
a new best friend, and discovers just why the year of the dog is a lucky one for her after all.
A
Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin
Squirrel, a stray puppy, tells her life story, from her nurturing mother and brother to making her own way in the world,
facing busy highways, changing seasons, and humans both gentle and brutal.
Snap: A Novel
by Alison McGhee
Eleven-year-old Edwina confronts old and new challenges when her longtime best friend Sally faces the inevitable death
of the grandmother who raised her.
A Friendship for Today by Patricia C. McKissack
In 1954, when desegregation comes to Kirkland, Missouri, 10-year-old Rosemary faces many changes and challenges at
school and at home as her parents separate.
Being Teddy Roosevelt by Claudia Mills
When he is assigned Teddy Roosevelt as his biography project in school, fourth grader Riley finds himself inspired
by Roosevelt's tenacity and perseverance and resolves to find a way to get what he most wants- a saxophone and music lessons.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures by Brian Selznick
When 12-year-old
Hugo, an orphan living and reading clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toy seller
and his granddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.
The Friskative
Dog by Susan Straight
Sharron's father has disappeared, and she tries to cope with her feelings of loss through the love of a stuffed
dog he gave her.
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Ten-year-old Zoe Elias, who longs to play the piano but must resign herself to learning the organ instead, finds that
her musicianship has a positive impact on her workaholic mother, her jittery father, and her school social life
Way
Down Deep by Ruth White
In the West Virginia town of Way Down Deep in the 1950s, a foundling called Ruby June is happily living with Miss Arbutus
at the local boarding house when suddenly, after the arrival of a family of outsiders, the mystery of Ruby's past begins
to unravel.
Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
From her home in Lidice, Czechoslovakia, in 1942, 11-year-old Milada is taken with other blond, blue-eyed children
to a school in Poland to be trained as "proper Germans" for adoption by German families, but all the while she remembers
her true name and history.
What I Call Life by Jill Wolfson
On "just a temporary detour from what I call life," Cal finds herself in a group home watched over by a strange
old woman called the Knitting Lady. Cal can think of nothing but how to get out of this nuthouse, but it turns out that they
all have more in common than they imagined.
15 Minutes by Steve Young
Seventh-grader Casey Little is always late until he discovers a magic watch that takes him back in time, a trick he
uses both on and off the football field.
One-Handed Catch by M.J. Auch
After losing his hand in an accident in his father's butcher shop in 1946, sixth-grader Norman uses
hard work and humor to learn to live with his disability and to succeed at baseball, art, and other activities.
Surprises according to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
While continuing to help his classmates solve their problems, Humphrey, pet hamster of Longfellow School's Room
26, faces many surprises, like rolling in a hamster ball, a substitute janitor who might be an alien, and the possibility
of MRs. Brisbane retiring.
The Black Tower by Betsy Byars
Herucleah Jones has been reading aloud to Lionus Hunt, an elderly stroke victim who can only communicate by blinking
his eyes. He seems to be trying to tell Herculeah something. Is it related to a murder that took place in the
mansion's black tower years ago?
No Talking by Andrew Clements
The noisy fifth grade boys of Laketon Elementary School challenge the equally loud fifth grade girls to "no
talking" contest.
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies
Evan and his younger sister react very differently to the news that they will be in the same class for fourth grade.
As the end of summer approaches, they battle if out through lemonade stands, each trying to be the first to earn $100.
Julia's Kitchen by Brenda A. Ferber
When her mother and younger sister are killed in a house fire, 11 year-old Cara struggles to find a way to deal with
her emotions and to reach out to her grieving father.
Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff
When Sam, who can barely read, discovers an old newspaper clipping just before his eleventh birthday, he has memories from
his past. With the help of a new friend at school and a school project, his questions are eventually answered.
The Liberation of Gabriel King by K.L. Going
In Georgia during the summer of 1976, Gabriel, a white boy who is being bullied, and Frita, an African-American girl
who is facing prejudice, decide to overcome their many fears together as they enter fifth grade.
The
Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
Four fifth-grade students - a geek, a class clown, a teacher's pet, and a slacker- as well as their teacher and
mothers, each relate events surrounding a computer programmed to complete homework assignments.
Double
Identity by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Bethany's parents have always been overprotective, but when they suddenly drop out of sight with no explanation,
leaving her with an aunt she never knew existed, Bethany uncovers shocking secrets that make her question everything she thought
she knew.
Winnie at her Best by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Zoe is the smartest
speller and Vanessa is the top actress in the fourth grade, but Winnie doesn't know what she does best until she helps
a young neighbor in need.
The Year of the Dog: A Novel by Grace Lin
When Pacy's mom tells her that the Chinese year of the dog is a good year for friends, family, and "finding
herself," Pacy begins searching right away. She struggles to find her talent, deals with disappointment, makes
a new best friend, and discovers just why the year of the dog is a lucky one for her after all.
A
Dog's Life: The Autobiography of a Stray by Ann M. Martin
Squirrel, a stray puppy, tells her life story, from her nurturing mother and brother to making her own way in the world,
facing busy highways, changing seasons, and humans both gentle and brutal.
Snap: A Novel
by Alison McGhee
Eleven-year-old Edwina confronts old and new challenges when her longtime best friend Sally faces the inevitable death
of the grandmother who raised her.
A Friendship for Today by Patricia C. McKissack
In 1954, when desegregation comes to Kirkland, Missouri, 10-year-old Rosemary faces many changes and challenges at
school and at home as her parents separate.
Being Teddy Roosevelt by Claudia Mills
When he is assigned Teddy Roosevelt as his biography project in school, fourth grader Riley finds himself inspired
by Roosevelt's tenacity and perseverance and resolves to find a way to get what he most wants- a saxophone and music lessons.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures by Brian Selznick
When 12-year-old
Hugo, an orphan living and reading clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toy seller
and his granddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized.
The Friskative
Dog by Susan Straight
Sharron's father has disappeared, and she tries to cope with her feelings of loss through the love of a stuffed
dog he gave her.
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
Ten-year-old Zoe Elias, who longs to play the piano but must resign herself to learning the organ instead, finds that
her musicianship has a positive impact on her workaholic mother, her jittery father, and her school social life
Way
Down Deep by Ruth White
In the West Virginia town of Way Down Deep in the 1950s, a foundling called Ruby June is happily living with Miss Arbutus
at the local boarding house when suddenly, after the arrival of a family of outsiders, the mystery of Ruby's past begins
to unravel.
Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
From her home in Lidice, Czechoslovakia, in 1942, 11-year-old Milada is taken with other blond, blue-eyed children
to a school in Poland to be trained as "proper Germans" for adoption by German families, but all the while she remembers
her true name and history.
What I Call Life by Jill Wolfson
On "just a temporary detour from what I call life," Cal finds herself in a group home watched over by a strange
old woman called the Knitting Lady. Cal can think of nothing but how to get out of this nuthouse, but it turns out that they
all have more in common than they imagined.
15 Minutes by Steve Young
Seventh-grader Casey Little is always late until he discovers a magic watch that takes him back in time, a trick he
uses both on and off the football field.
